UNIQLO sets opening date at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

UNIQLO has stayed on-schedule with the interior fit-out of its newest store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and as a result, will meet the promised "Spring 2025" opening timeframe. The Japanese casual apparel boutique will open on Friday, May 23, 2025, the chain announced on Instagram yesterday. UNIQLO has two existing locations in Montgomery County, at Pike & Rose in Rockville, and in downtown Silver Spring. The company's origin in Japan was initially inspired by The GAP's business model, but UNIQLO evolved into its own original concept, best known for its partnerships with high-profile brands and designers while keeping prices reasonable.

Fork & Kitchen opening in Rockville

Fork & Kitchen is coming soon to Rockville. The restaurant will be located at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square, according to a liquor license notice posted there. That fairly large space was most memorably home to Bar Louie. Fork & Kitchen does not appear to have a website or social media presence yet, but it does have a liquor license hearing scheduled for June 5 at 10:30 AM.

McDonald's opening prototype store design in Rockville (Photos)

The new McDonald's at 11710 Rockville Pike in Rockville will be the third of the company's prototype store design that focuses entirely on drive-thru and takeout orders, and entirely dispenses with indoor dining. Two previous variations on the "On-the-Go" store model have opened in Forth Worth, Texas in 2022, and in Los Angeles in 2024. The Rockville store will have two drive-thru lanes outside. But inside, there is only a small lobby with touchscreen kiosks for ordering purposes. Orders are placed via the kiosks, or in advance using the McDonald's app. Instead of a wide counter with multiple cashier stations, there is only a small window cut out of the kitchen wall, where a crew member will hand out your order when it is ready, using the pickup number you received when placing the order.

This new store model solves many problems at once. It streamlines ordering, and gets pickup and delivery orders out faster. Fewer employees are needed to operate the restaurant. And the issue of loitering is virtually eliminated, since there is no place to "hang out" inside the building. While bulletproof glass would be necessary to fully "crime-proof" the restaurant, it would be more difficult for robbers and other criminals to gain direct access to the employees than at a traditional McDonald's store.

The new McDonald's was already expected to be an improvement over the nearby location that closed last year, simply because this one will have drive-thru service. But the opening will be even more exciting now that the interior construction reveals that this is a rare and new McDonald's store design that few around the country have experienced yet, and the performance of which will influence future McDonald's store designs around the country.

Subway nears opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a sneak peek behind the curtain of the new Subway in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. As you can see, it looks like it's not far from opening at this point. They've even plugged in the illuminated "S" logo. Still needed is the installation of the menu screens. Along with Subway's return on Rockville Pike, this area of Montgomery County is witnessing a true Renaissance of Sandwich Artists.

Fake U.S. Marshal scams Rockville resident

An imposter posing as a U.S. Marshal swindled a Rockville resident on April 30, 2025, Rockville City police report. At 4:00 PM that afternoon, police say, an individual claiming to be a U.S. Marshal contacted a resident of the 700 block of King Farm Boulevard. The fake marshal told the female victim that one of her accounts had been compromised, and directed her to purchase gift cards from three businesses. She was told to furnish information from the cards to the marshal in order to recoup the stolen funds. Obviously, the laughably-cockamamie story was a scam.

According to the (real) U.S. Marshals Service, this is a nationwide fraud scheme that has been carried out since January. “The U.S. Marshals would never ask for a credit, debit or gift card number or banking routing numbers, or ask for funds to be wired for any purpose," U.S. Marshal Gary Grimes said. "If the caller is urging you to provide this type of information or any other personal or financial information, hang up and report the call to the Marshals and the Federal Trade Commission. You can even report to both agencies anonymously.”

Photo courtesy U.S. Marshals Service

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on May 5, 2025. The assault was reported at the mall at 2:55 PM Monday. This the fourth assault to take place at the mall this year. There were 11 assaults reported at the popular retail center in 2024, 5 in 2023, and 12 in 2022.

Rockville Subway construction update (Photos)

Signage has been installed on the Subway store at 1402 Rockville Pike. Last night, it was already lit up in the familiar green and yellow Subway color scheme. The interior is close to finished, but menu screens, counter equipment, and maybe a bit more seating furniture are still to come before opening day. This location closed in December, and has undergone a major renovation.